Tag: bloom

Despite the cold there are some wonderful signs that Spring is on its way at Willowwood:

Bright yellow winter aconite is brightening up the Cottage Garden and some Chionodoxa lucilea (Glory–of-the-Snow)in bloom by the Conservatory.

The Hamamelis (Witchhazel or sometimes called ‘winter bloom’) are in bloom! You can find two of these very fragrant shrubs across from the Tubbs’ house and in the Winter Garden. Native Americans used witch hazel leaves and bark as a poultice to reduce swelling and inflammation. Witch-hazel has long been among the best known and widely used home remedies. The word “witch” in the name of the herb is actually a derivative from the Anglo-Saxon word wych meaning flexible. The word described the flexibility of the branches that Native Americans used to make their hunting bows.

The bluebirds are definitely back, settling into their new homes with the squirrel protectors along the driveway.

And the pansies are in bloom in the Greenhouse – just look through the window…

Tiny little green shoots are appearing here and there — promising some wonderful suprises as the weather gets a bit warmer.

One would think that Willowwood, so very beautiful Spring through Fall, is not the place to visit during Winter. Yet, on quietly still days, without the bustle of winds or bitter chill, there are birders, walkers, hikers, photographers and others who enjoy the solitude of the day. Various animals who normally hide within the woods are now visible against the snow. There are many ornamental trees and shrubs with attractive bark and berries that add shades of color and attract birds. Come visit, you will be surprised at what you will see…
And come March, when the warmth of the sun is stronger, feel the colorful joy of the pansies in the greenhouse; watch the green shoots of the winter aconite, crocus and the daffodils start to pop up. Look at the lovely cupped flowers of the hellebores near the Tubbs House.

It is mid October and the gardens are still in bloom thanks to a lack of frost! Hopefully we’ll get a week or two more before Mother Nature gets the upper hand.

In the Cottage garden the Nipponanthemum nipponicum (Nippon Daisy), Aconitum (Monkshood), pink Japanese Anemones, New England Asters and Trycirtis (Toad Lily) are still blooming. We’ve just completed an extension on two of the beds and hope that our fall planting will lead to vigorous growth next spring!

On your way to the Conservatory check out the reddish purple color on the Witchhazel along the left side of the paved drive just past the barn. Once you are inside the Conservatory you’ll detect the scent of Osmanthus fragrans (Fragrant Olive).

To the left of the Conservatory, in the Rockery, you’ll find Cyclamen hederifolium and Trycirtis latifolia still in bloom.

The Rosarie is still a riot of color with the annuals still in flower as well as the fall blooming perennials.

If you take a stroll down the Woodwalk you’ll still see the blue berries on the Symplocos paniculata (Sapphireberry) .

In the meadows the grasses are changing every day from reddish brown to their winter tan. On frosty mornings they really glisten in the sun.

Throughout the arboretum the start of fall color is upon us. The maples, dogwoods and viburnums are in full display.

As Fall ends and Winter begins, there are paths to walk and hike. When the snow comes, cross country skiing is another way to view the plantings and winter bark (see our ornamental walk information) and see some of the birds and animals who call Willowwood “home”.

The cell phone tour is scheduled to end at end October and will begin again in Spring.

The weather forecast for the next couple of weeks looks just perfect for a late summer visit to the Willowwood Arboretum gardens.

And even though summer is coming to an end the gardens and meadows are still full of color at Willowwood!

As you drive in the meadows have now been taken over by the yellow flowered Solidago (Goldenrod).
Native asters are just coming into bloom in the meadows – nice combination with the goldenrod (blue and gold). Take a walk through the meadows – enjoy the view from the Stiles observation platform!

When you approach the arbor by the barns you’ll see the white blooms of Nicotiana sylvestris on the right. They remind me of fireworks!

Check out the colorful bed to the left of the glass house. The large leaf plant is an Ensete, the tall plant with the red spiky seed pods is Ricinus communis ( Castor bean).

In the Rosarie there is a large pot of Begonia grandis (Hardy begonia) at the entrance that has a lot of interest. Further along the path you’ll see the orange Tithonia (Mexican sunflower) on the right. The tall Brugmansia (Angels trumpet) on the left is about to open some new blooms. The yellow zinnias that border the path are ‘Profusion Yellow’. The annual grass with the pink flowers is Melinus nerviglumis ‘Savannah’.

The colorful annual displays in the Cottage Garden, Rosarie, and around the Stone Barn are now at their peak. Come see them! Now is the time! Should be enjoyable until frost. Highlights in the Cottage Garden include the pink Anemone by the gate, the large flowered Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Lord Baltimore’ and the Dolichos lab lab (Hyacinth bean vine) that is rambling over the arbor.

The bed on the east side of the Shingle Barn (outside restroom) has just been replanted with meadow plants, many of which we grew ourselves from seed. Watch this space in 2015!

Information provided by John Morse, Willowwood Arboretum Manager of Horticulture and Judy Schaible, Asst Superintendent of Horticulture

And mark your calendar: Autumn Open House on Sunday October 5 from Noon to 4 pm!

Here are some garden highlights for August.
The meadows are showing lots of color with native Monarda, Ironweed, Joe-pye weed and Goldenrod in bloom.
The Cottage Garden and Rosarie are full of color and are attracting the hummingbirds.
The Willowwood Horticulture Staff is just starting an expansion of the Cottage garden so visitors can see the process involved in creating a new garden area.
In the Rosarie: The Angelonia is doing the job of mimicking Lavender (which doesn’t like to grow in the heavy soil there). The low growing yellow ‘ Profusion’ zinnia is a great low maintenance plant for the border. The very large orange flowered plant on the right side of the path is the Mexican sunflower- Tithonia ‘Torch’.
Along the Woodwalk the Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower) will charm you with its’ red blooms.
If you stroll down the path to Moggy Hollow you’ll see a patch of naturalized lilies on the left just before the bridge.

Don’t forget to join us for the Autumn Open House on Sunday October 5 from Noon to 4 pm. See “Events” for more information!